April 4 at 10:30 a.m.
The moderator of the meeting is Maria Makeieva.
Journalist Irina Novik will present her first book “I am a Deserter”.
This is a collection of absolutely real stories of people who refused to participate in the Russian-Ukrainian war.
These are citizens of the Russian Federation, different in age, origin and views, who, due to circumstances, found themselves in the war or were one step away from it. But, guided by certain and not always the same considerations, they decided to flee.
Through the memories and direct speech of the deserters, for whom one sometimes feels sympathy and sometimes dislike, the absurdity, cruelty and absolute senselessness of the war unleashed by the Kremlin are traced.
“I Am a Deserter” is a profound and very important study of human actions and decisions against the backdrop of the tragic events of our time.
Along with the author, one of the book's heroes, a former Russian military man who escaped from the war and now lives in Germany, will be at the meeting.
Come talk about important topics:
- Why is it necessary to talk about the war in Ukraine on behalf of Russian servicemen?
- Should the West provide asylum to defectors?
- Are all Russian defectors heroes?
The meeting will be an open discussion and an autograph session at the end.
What Are the Objectives of the Award?
The primary goal of the Award is to support authors and promote Russian-language literature worldwide. We welcome all who write and read in Russian, regardless of citizenship or place of residence. We aim to foster a Russian-language culture free from political and imperial influences.
How Is the Award Process Conducted?
The Prize is awarded annually. The Jury holds a vote in which each member selects between one and three works. The author whose work receives the highest number of votes becomes the winner.
What Awards Are Provided?
The Prize winner receives a grant for the translation of their work into English, French, and German.
When Does the Submission Period for the Competition Start and End?
Submissions for the third season of the prize will open on July 15, 2026, and close on October 15, 2026.
When will the list of finalists and winners be announced?
On January 20, 2027, the Council of Experts will announce the shortlist. The Independent Jury will announce the winner on May 25, 2027.
What are the conditions for the nomination of a book for the award
Works published in 2025 are eligible for the third season of the competition. Eligible works (novels, novellas, short story and essay collections, documentary prose) may have been published either as standalone editions or in literary magazines. Nominations may be submitted by publishing houses and magazine editorial boards, as well as by the authors themselves or third parties (with the author's consent and written confirmation). Texts must be submitted for consideration in electronic format. The DAR Prize is open to all authors. Given the prize's main goals — promoting contemporary Russian-language literature outside of Russia — and the nature of the award itself (a translation grant), priority will be given to authors whose works have not previously been translated into English, French, or German.
